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MEXICAN     COMMISSION 


OF 


THE    HOUSE    OF    BISHOPS 


OP  THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

In  the  United  States  of  America. 


STATEMENT  BY  THE  BISHOP  OF  DELAWARE,  ACTING  CHAIRMAN, 

January,  1879. 

The  Mexican  Commission  held  a  session  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  1 5th 
and  1 6th  of  January,  inst.,  at  which  all  the  members  were  present,  with  the  exception 
of  the  venerable  President,  the  Bishop  of  Maryland,  who,  to  the  great  regret  of  his 
associates,  was  confined  to  his  bed  by  extreme  illness.  The  deep  interest  felt  in  the 
work  entrusted  to  them  was  shown  })y  the  long  journeys  made^at  this  inclement  sea- 
son by  several  of  the  Bishops  in  order  to  be  present,  and  by  many  hours  of  earnest 
consideration  given  to  the  subject.  Knowing  that  their  feelings  are  shared  by  our 
clergy  and  laity  to  a  large  extent,  and  desiring  to  make  the  Church  at  large  ac- 
quainted with  the  information  they  have  received  and  the  action  they  have  taken, 
the  Commission  requested  and  authorized  their  acting  chairman  to  make  a  pub- 
lication relative  thereto. 

Some  months  ago  a  communication  was  sent  on  behalf  of  the  Commission  to 
Albert  E.  Macintosh,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  the  Mexican  Church,  containing  a  series  of 
inquiries  touching  the  present  condition,  needs,  and  prospects  of  the  Church,  to 
which  answers  were  solicited.  From  the  reply  of  that  gentleman  laid  before  the 
Commission,  the  following  extracts  are  made  : 

"I.  Q.  What  is  the  present  actual  condition  of  the  Church,-  heretofore  known  as 
the  Church  of  Jesus  in  Mexico.'*  " 

A.  The  Church  of  Jesus  in  Mexico  has  grown  up  into  an  important  community  of 
Christians,  who  worship  the  Lord  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Two  Dioceses  have  been 
organized,  one  in  the  vale  of  Mexico  and  the  other  with  its  centre  in  Cuernavaca. 
There  are  also  other  congregations  in  Nopala,  State  of  Hidalgo,  Puebla,  and  Vera 
Cruz,  which  form  centres  of  Christian  work.  A  Constitution  has  been  formed  by  the 
clergy  which  will  give  a  very  strong  organization  to  the  Church,  and  at  once  estab- 
lish its  character  throughout  the  country,  and  create  unity  of  action  in  its  thorough 
and  earnest  Christian  work,  and  there  is  a  remarkable  and  increased  affection  grow- 
ing up  daily  for  the  Mexican  Church  among  the  clergy  and  its  members,  which  gives 
great  importance  to  the  religious  reformation  of  the  people,  and  gives  promising 
hopes  for  the  future.     In  fact  the  Mexican  Church,  in  a  very  conservative  way,  is  fol- 


lowing  the  model  of  the  primitive  Christian  Church,  and  is  keeping  quite  aloof  from 
all  distracting  modern  party  questions,  maintaining  the  unity  6fthe  faith  in  the  bond 
of  peace  with  all  integrity,  and  the  ancient  canonical  order. 

a.  Ecclesiastically,  number  of  ministers  and  members  ? 

There  are  six  ordained  Presbyters,  six  ministers  ought  to  be  ordained,  several 
other  candidates  for  the  ministry  and  a  lay  reader  to  exch  congregation.  There  are 
about  3,500  regular  members,  and  about  as  many  more  casual  members.  The  Rev. 
Dr.  Riley,  on  his  return  as  Bishop-elect,  has  given  a  fresh  impulse  to  the  work,  and 
the  Church  of  St.  Francis  is  well  attended  by  a  regular  congregation. 

b.  Fi?iancially.     As  to  obligations  and  means  of  discharging  them  ? 

The  Mexican  Church  has  always  had  to  contend  with  pecuniary  difficulties,  as  her 
members  are  poor,  being  chiefly  artisans  and  country  peasants.  The  late  Mr. 
Theodore  W.  Riley,  and  his  son,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  Chauncey  Riley,  most  gener- 
ously protected  the  Church  with  large  sums  at  the  commencement  of  the  work,  and 
the  latter,  after  his  father's  death,  has  continued  to  disburse  all  the  funds  required 
over  and  above  the  appropriations,  and  disinterestedly  works  without  a  salary.  This 
Church  is  now  placed  under  the  fostering  care  of  the  Foreign  Committee  of  the  Do- 
mestic and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  Protestant  Eoiscopal  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  w^ho  remit  about  two-thirds  of  the  monthly  expenses, 
w^hich  are  inadequate  to  meet  the  present  necessities  of  the  work.  To  carry  out  the 
work  in  an  efficient  manner,  so  as  to  meet  the  expenses  of  a  Theological  School  which 
Dr.  Riley  is  organizing,  of  free  schools  for  boys  and  girls,  of  a  good  boarding-school 
for  young  ladies,  and  to  be  able  to  maintain  the  clergy  with  competent  salaries,  etc.,  I 
think  a  round  sum  of  $25,000  per  annum  will  be  required.  The  Mexican  Church 
will  have  to  depend  upon  foreign  financial  aid  for  many  years  to  come,  unless  the 
Roman  Catholic  clergy  listen  to  the  voice  of  the  Gospel  and  join  this  reform  move- 
ment, who  would  probably  lead  on  several  wealthy  families  toward  a  purer  religion. 
A  man  must  have  peace  of  mind  in  his  house  to  be  able  to  dedicate  his  whole  time 
to  study  and  to  all  the  sacred  duties  of  a  clergyman,  but  this  is  impossible  if  he  has 
always  to  be  thinking  how  he  can  maintain  himself  and  family.  I  consider  the 
arrangement  of  the  salaries  of  the  clergy  as  a  very  important  point  for  the  future 
welfare  of  the  Church,  if  the  idea  is  to  obtain  an  educated  clergy  who  will  be  apt  to 
teach  all  classes  of  society.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Riley,  as  Bishop-elect,  has  always  sup- 
plied the  extra  amounts  which  have  been  required,  but  he  ought  to  be  relieved  from 
this  burden  by  all  Christians  who  have  the  true  faith  at  heart,  as,  in  fact,  he  is  now 
unable  to  do  so.  If  $2,000  per  month  can  be  obtained  as  a  permanent  income  for  some 
years,  I  think  the  Church  of  Jesus  may  be  placed  on  a  good  footing. 

c.  Materially.     As  to  the  number  of  churches  in  actual  possession  ? 

There  are  three  churches  in  the  capital ;  the  church  and  chapel  of  St.  Francis,  the 
church  of  St.  Joseph,  and  one  in  the  ex-convent  of  St.  Anthony.  Several  congrega- 
tions have  built  a  house  of  prayer,  according  to  the  scanty  means  they  possess. 

d.  Politically.     As  to -the  probable  continuance  of  Government  protection  } 

At  present  all  Protestants  are  protected  by  the  laws  of  the  country-,  and  the 
authorities  behave  with  a  tolerant  spirit,  nevertheless  there  are  some  few  exceptions. 
If  the  liberal  party  is  wise  enough  to  unite,  and  holds  its  ground  ^s  hitherto,  the  Mexi- 
can Church  has  nothing  to  fear.  The  retorm  laws  have  separated  the  Church 
entirely  from  the  State,  and  each  denomination  can  establish  its  own  rules  and  regu- 

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lations,  with  the  right  to  appeal  to  the  chief  authorities  for  protection  whenever  they 
need  it. 

e.  Socially.  As  to  the  standing  of  the  Church  in  the  community,  compared  with 
the  Romish,  and  other  Protestant  bodies,  and  the  mass  of  irrehgious  men  ? 

The  Mexican  Church,  socially  speaking,  is  of  course  still  in  a  small  minority  as 
regards  the  9,000,000  nominal  Roman  Catholics,  who  hold  their  ground  most 
tenaciously ;  but  as  regards  other  Protestant  bodies  the  Church  of  Jesus  has  a 
decided  majority  of  members.  The  people  are  nominally  Roman  Catholics,  but 
indifference,  infidelity  and  spiritualism  are  increasing  to  an  alarming  extent,  and  are 
sadly  corrupting  Mexican  society.  The  organization  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  is  more 
suited  to  the  country  than  the  other  denominations,  which  appear  more  like  secular 
public  assemblies  without  ceremonies,  and  perhaps  this  may  be  the  reason  why  the 
Latin  race  adheres  so  firmly  to  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  in  Italy,  Spain  and  Span- 
ish America,  and  even  in  France,  where  Protestantism  makes  such  slow  progress. 
A  keen  observer  must  soon  find  out  that  the  sectarian  spirit  which  has  thwarted  the 
progress  of  the  Mexican  Church  from  its  infancy  has  prevented  many  Romanists 
from  becoming  Protestants.  The  Latin  race  requires  liturgical  worship,  combined 
with  artistical  and  architectural  taste  in  the  church  buildings,  and  good  music  and 
singing. 

We  must  always  bear  in  mind  that  we  are  endeavoring  to  reform  a  Church  which 
has  held  its  sway  in  Mexico  for  more  than  three  hundred  years,  and  no  rapid  prog- 
ress can  ensue  until  the  clergy  put  themselves  at  the  head  of  the  movement,  as  did 
the  Reformers  of  old  in  England.  Nevertheless,  the  Mexican  branch  of  the  Church 
has  done  wonders,  considering  the  fanaticism  and  opposition  it  has  to  contend  with 
on  all  sides. 

/.  Spiritually.  As  a  living  body,  composed  of  members  walking  in  and  with 
Christ  ?  • 

The  Bible  and  Prayer-Book  are  penetrating  gradually  into  Mexican  homes,  and 
there  is  a  decided  spiritual  regeneration  silently  going  on.  As  soon  as  all  the  mem- 
bers of  a  family  firmly  adhere  to  the  Church,  a  complete  change  comes  over  them  ; 
but  when  only  one  of  the  members  leaves  the  errors  of  Rome,  then  he  or  she,  as  it 
may  be,  has  to  undergo  all  manner  of  trials  and  cruel  persecutions.  There  are  too 
many  of  such  cases  to  relate,  which  would  make  this  answer  too  long.  The  faith  has 
been  so  engrafted  in  the  souls  of  the  members  of  the  Church  that  many  have  died  a 
martyr's  death,  without  any  retaliation  whatever  on  the  part  of  the  surviving  rela- 
tives, who  pray  on  in  love  for  their  enemies.  The  poorer  classes  which  form  the 
majority  of  this  Church  become  more  charitable  and  spiritually  reformed  in  their 
manners  and  customs,  leaving  that  low  and  unbecoming  language  which  is  so  preva- 
lent in  Mexico  ;  and,  in  fact,  it  can  be  stated  that  the  Mexican  Church  is  gradually 
obtaining  the  spiritual  regeneration  of  many  of  the  people,  which  even  the  Roman 
clergy  are  feeling. 

2.   Q.  What  statistics  can  you  furnish  ? 

A.  As  already  stated,  there  are  three  churches  in  the  capital,  which  must  have 
cost  in  their  time  at  least  a  million  dollars.  There  are  about  3,500  regular  mem- 
bers, two  Sunday-schools,  and  six  free  schools  in  the  Diocese  of  Mexico,  and  three 
in  the  State  of  Morelos,  containing  in  all  more  than  five  hundred  children  ;  a  print- 
ing press,  which  publishes  the  periodical,  called  The  Truth,  every  week. 


Letters  of  subsequent  dates  inform-  us  that  a  General  Constitution  of  the  Church 
has  been  adopted;  that  its  Synods  are  organized  and  working  efficiently ;  that  the 
designation  of  Dr.  Riley's  Episcopal  charge  had  been  changed  to  the  Valley  of 
Mexico  ;  that  of  the  Rev.  P.  Hernandez  is  Cuernavaca,  and  that  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Valdespino  had  been  elected  Bishop  of  the  City  of  Mexico.  We  are  also  informed 
that  the  repairs  of  the  great  Church  of  San  Francisco  are  going  onward,  and  inas- 
much as  one  of  the  conditions  of  subscriptions  to  the  expense  of  these  repairs  was 
that  Dr.  Riley  should  personally  superintend  the  work  and  open  the  church,  he  had 
been  obliged  to  remain  longer  than  he  anticipated  when  he  left  the  United  States. 
Mr.  Macintosh  thus  concludes  his  last  letter,  dated  December  28,  1878:  "In  view 
of  the  grand  work  that  the  Lord  is  enabling  us  to  do  here,  and  the  difficulties  which 
surround  it,  it  should  not  be  wondered  at  that  we  do  not  press  forward  everything  at 
once  ;  and  we  may  congratulate  ourselves  that  in  no  other  Roman  Catholic  country 
such  important  results  have  been  obtained  in  so  short  a  time,  on  behalf  of  the  Gos- 
pel, as  in  this  Republic." 

The  Commission  adopted  the  following  resolutions  : 

1.  That  this  Commission  has  learned  with  the  deepest  interest  from  information 
furnished  and  publications  laid  before  us  by  A.  E.  Macintosh,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  etc., 
that  a  Constitution  has  been  adopted,  and  that  other  important  measures  have  been 
taken  by  the  Mexican  branch  of  the  Catholic  Church  militant  for  the  complete  or- 
ganization of  the  same,  in  agreement  with  the  specifications  of  the  Covenant,  and 
that  official  documents  in  confirmation  of  these  measures  will  soon  be  forwarded  by 
the  General  Synod  of  said  Church. 

2.  That  this  Commission,  awaiting  such  documentary  information,  earnestly  re- 
quest the  General  Synod,  with  other  documents,  to  present,  first  of  all,  copies  of  the 
requisite  offices  for  the  Holy  Communion  and  for  Holy  Baptism  ;  and,  second,  the 
testimonials  heretofore  agreed  upon  of  the  election  or  designation  of  Bishops,  con- 
firmed by  notarial  authentication. 

3.  That  we  shall  be  gratified  to  receive  a  copy  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Mexican 
Branch  of  the  Catholic  Church  Militant,  authenticated  in  a  similar  manner. 

4.  That  our  chairman  is  requested  to  communicate  these  resolutions,  with  such 
remarks  as  he  may  think  proper  to  add,  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Riley,  to  the  General  Synod, 
through  Rev.  Senor  Perez,  its  Secretary,  and  to  Mr.  Macintosh,  Treasurer,  and  any 
other  members  of  the  Mexican  Church. 

5.  That  this  Commission,  in  a  deep  sense  of  its  great  responsibilities,  will  endeavor 
to  be  instant  in  prayer  in  behalf  of  the  persecuted  Church  in  Mexico  and  its  Bishops- 
elect  ;  at  the  same  time  asking  for  prayers  in  behalf  of  our  own  Church,  that  it  may 
not  be  found  wanting  in  extending  sympathy  and  requisite  succor  to  a  sister  Church 
in  its  present  condition  of  suffering  and  necessities. 

The  above  is  given  to  the  Church  by  direction  of  the  Mexican  Commission. 

Wilmington,  Del.,  Jan.  20,  1879.  ALFRED   LEE. 


Contributions — whether  large  or  small — are  earnestly  solicited,  and  may  be 
se?tt  to  George  A.  Brown,  Esq.,  General  Treasurer  in  England  for  "  The 
League  in  aid  of  the  Mexican  Branch  of  the  Church,"  care  of  Messrs. 
Brown,  Shipley  &  Co.',  Liverpool,  England. 

NEW   YORK : 

published    by   the    "  league    in    aid    of   the    MEXICAN    BRANCH    OF   THE 

CHURCH." 


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